Genealogy Chat

Hi Mary Jane Jenkinson was married twice on one her name is just down as Jane her father is shown on both as Charles Jenkinson a bread baker who was deceased when she married in 1883 and 1886. I have been unable to find her father as well. In 1871 Mary Jane is staying with her grandparents George Buckley born 1831 in Bury, Lancashire and Margaret Buckley born 1831 in Ireland. I have been unable to trace them before this census they were living in Salford the reference is RG10/4023 Folio: 61 Page: 24. In 1881 its is unclear who her grandparent is as there is no head of the house and the only one old enough to be her grandmother is the servant so I don’t know it that’s her grandmother or if it was the head of the house who is not listed is her grandparent. The reference is RG11/3972 Folio: 102 Page: 20. I have looked with no success for a possible birth for Mary Jane Jenkinson. Can any one help with trying to find her birth record or maybe find the Buckley family before 1871 as this may help with finding out who Mary’s mother was and when she married Charles Jenkinson maybe then I can fin Charles himself. Any help in tracing Mary Jane Jenkinson and her family would be very helpful. Thanks for you help and ideas Karen

Hi I am trying to trace my 2x great grandmother Mary Jane Jenkinson who was born c1860-65 in Woolwich, Kent. I have tried searching for a birth record to order her birth certificate but am not having any luck at all finding her. On the two census before she married she is living with Grandparents. Can anyone help me find her or perhaps find her grandparents which may help find more about the family. I will put more information on next message so its not all together for easier reading. Thanks for you help Karen

Karen. I have also got some ancestors whose birth certificates I can't find. Despite trying all variations on the surname and forename, trying different dates and even different registration districts. I hope you're more successful in finding your missing certificate. However, according to the book Ancestral Trails many births weren't recorded in the early years of registration (between 1837-1875) as there was no legal requirement unless the registrar demanded it. Also many people thought that a baptism was as good as registering the birth. The book suggests searching the parish registers if you can't find a birth on the BMD index.

Hi Karen In 1871, aren't the Buckleys a little young, at 40, to be 9 year old Mary Jane's grandparents? I'm thinking that maybe she is the granddaughter of Mary Newgent, the sister-in-law? Angela

I see what you mean - the 1881 is very confusing as it is not clear who's grand daughter she is!! But the 1871 - if George and Margaret Buckley are her grandparents then they are likely to be her mother's parents. (My brain is refusing to work properly today - is it possible that Jenkinson is her stepfather's name? Maybe Buckley was the name of her real father? Might be worth seeing if you can find her under Buckley?) Also, if you cannot track the marriage of George and Margaret - to find Margaret's maiden name - you have sister in law's marriage - that at least will help you go backwards on that line. Trouble is that does not help much with tracking down Mary Jane does it? Sorry - I'm trying to be of help but I think I might be muddying the waters! Jill

Oh Angela - well spotted - I'd not noticed the age difference! Yes, I'd go with Mary Newgent as grandma - same applies though re finding her maiden name - would likely be the same as Margaret Buckley's maiden name. Jill

just a suggestion, could she have been illegitimate and was registered in her mother's maiden name? I had a similar problem with one of my rellies, but when i looked at the original baptisms records, i found her. Her mother eventually married the man who was named on my rellies marriage certificate, and i'm still not sure if he was her natural father. Stangely enough, he was given the occupation 'baker' too, even though all other records put him as an agricultural labourer!

Karen dont forget it wasn't compulsory to register birth's until 1875 so many were not registered. Georgina.